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Brewers trade Aoki to Kansas City

The Milwaukee Brewers announced Thursday that outfielder Norichika Aoki has been traded to Kansas City.

General Manager Doug Melvin made the announcement in a statment Thursday morning.

Aoki joined the Brewers in 2012. He batted .287 with 18 home runs and 87 runs batted in during his time in Milwaukee.

"Nori is a true professional and performed very well as a member of the Brewers," Melvin said.

Aoki was traded to the Royals in exchange for left-handed pitcher Will Smith.

Smith was selected by the Angels in the seventh round of the 2007 first-year player draft. He has been with the Royals since 2010.

"Will Smith is someone we have liked for a couple of years now," Melvin said. "We had the chance to acquire a 24-year-old big physical left-hander who we feel can be a part of our staff. We could not walk away from the opportunity."

Aoki will turn 32 in January.

"This was a tough call because of what (Aoki) brought to our organization on the field and in the clubhouse."

Smith has gone 6-10 as a starter with the Royals, and 2-0 as a reliever.

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